Automatic regulating-valve



(No Model.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

J. M. POSTER.

AUTOMATIC RBGULATING VALVE.

Patented Oct. 4, 1892.

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(No Model.) l 2 Sheets-8heet 2. J. M. FOSTER. AUTOMATIG REGULATING VALVE;

No. 483,979. Patented Oct. 4, 1892.

INVENTOR WITNESSES:

ATTORNEY? 'UNiTED STATES PATENT GFFICE.

JOHN M. FOSTER, OF ORANFORD, ASSIGNO'R TO THE FOSTER ENGINEERING COMPANY, OF NEWARK, NEIV JERSEY. I

AUTOMATIC REGULATING-VALVE.

5" SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 483,979, dated October 4, 1892.

Application filed May 15, 1891. Serial No. 392.908- (N o model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, JOHN M. FOSTER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Cranford, Union county, New Jersey, have invented an Improved Automatic Regulating- Valve, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to construct a simple and easily-adjusted automatic regulating-valve.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical section of one form of my improved automatic regulating or reducing valve. Fig. 2 is an inverted plan view of the casing with the diaphragm removed. Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6 are views of details. Fig. 7 is a vertical section of a modified form of my regulating-valve.

The regulator is, in general principles of construction, somewhat similar to my regulating valve and governor, for which I have obtained Letters Patent of the United States No. 414,975, dated November 12, 1889, and also to the fluid-pressure governor for whichG. Kimball obtained Letters Patent of September 23, 1890, No. 436,858.

A is the valve-casing, with an inlet a and outlet 1) and a seat I) for the valve D. The stem of this valve is threaded at d and engages with a corresponding thread in the hub E, carried by the diaphragm F. In the present instance the rim of this flexible diaphragm is secured by a ring R and bolts or screws 4* within the rim of the dish H, which is fitted to the valve-casing and is practically a part thereof.

To counteract the pressure of the fluid upon the inner side of the diaphragm, I provide on the outside a spiral spring T, resting at one end upon the hub of the diaphragm and hav' ing at its outer end a bearing-nut 25. Upon this nut bears the inner end of the adjusting bolt or screw P, which is threaded through and is adjustable in a yoke L, carried by the casing. By turning this bolt or screw the tension of the spring may be readily adjusted, according to the counteracting effect desired, against fluid-pressure upon the diaphragm. For economy in space and convenience of construction, I make the hub E of the diaphragm hollow where it passes through the diaphragm, and I arrange the ring T within the depressed diaphragm.

The nute,'by which the diaphragm is clamped to the hub E, is made of a polygonal shape, Fig. 3, and the corresponding part of the dish H, Fig. 2, is made of a similar shape to receive the nut e, in order that this nut may be held by the dish in tightening up or loosening the connection with the diaphragm by the application of a tool to the hub outside the diaphragm. In order tolessen the liability of this nut e sticking in the dish when itought to be free to move under the fluid-pressure, I make the nut and the polygonal opening of the tapering form illustrated in Fig. 7.

As the valve has its stem threaded into the inner end of the hub of the diaphragm, the valve can be adjusted easily in relation to the diaphragm without changing the tension of the regulating-spring. For this purpose a spindle S, passing through a stuffing-box in the casing, has its inner end squared or of other polygonal form and adapted to a corresponding opening in the back of the valve, Figs. 1, 5, 6, and 7. This spindle is provided on the outside of the casing with a wheel or handle, by turning which the valve may be turned to increase or diminish the opening without changing the tension of the spring. This can be done with great ease, as there is no strain on the thread of the valve-stem by the fluid-pressure or the counteracting spring.

In the constructions shown a' hand-wheel W is employed, whereby the device may be used as a stop-valve as well as a regulating and reducing valve.

It will be observed that the regulator of Fig. 1 is shown as arranged with the diaphragm end downward, while in Fig. 7 the regulator is shown as placed horizontally. I do not wish to restrict myself to either of these arrangements of the regulator, as the latter may be placed in any position that may be convenient; but either otthe positions shown has the advantage that the chamber on the inside of the diaphragm gets more or less filled with water or condensed steam, which acts somewhat in the nature of a dash-pot and prevents the regulator from chattering. The same object is attained, however, by constructing the hub of the diaphragm and the neck in which it works so that there shall be a comparatively reduced annular opening for the passage of the steam to act on the diaphragm.

I claim as my invention- 1. The combination of the casing of an'automatic regulator having inlet and outlet ports and a valve with a diaphragm open to the fluid-presssureand having a hub which carries the said valve, a polygonal nut on the hub to clamp the diaphragm and a part of the casing having a polygonal opening to receive and hold the nut from turning, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination of the casing of an au tomatic regulator having inlet and outlet ports- V itnesses ALBERT POPKINS, HUBERT HOWSON. 

